Construction & Structural Trades
Build the buildings — and everything that goes in them. From the framing crews who put up the bones to the painters who finish the work, construction is the largest skilled-trade family in the country and the one most reliably hiring.
Nine trades. The ones that build everything.
Construction trades are the most reliably hiring of any skilled-trade family. Most start as helpers with no prior experience and build up via on-the-job training, apprenticeship, and certification. Each role below is a distinct license/cert track on KinTrades.
Carpenter
7 job-title variantsFrame, trim, hang doors, build cabinets, and install finish work in residential and commercial construction. The most common construction trade, with the most direct paths in.
Framer
6 job-title variantsBuild the wood or metal skeleton of buildings. The first trade on most residential jobs and the one whose work everyone else builds on.
Mason / Bricklayer
7 job-title variantsLay brick, block, and stone for walls, foundations, and architectural work. BAC apprenticeships across all four states; premium pay for finish stonework.
Concrete Finisher
6 job-title variantsPour and finish concrete for foundations, slabs, sidewalks, and decorative surfaces. Specialized work that pays above general construction labor.
Roofer
7 job-title variantsInstall and repair roofing on residential and commercial buildings. Asphalt shingle, metal, slate, EPDM, TPO. Lots of regional variation in materials and methods.
Drywall Installer
6 job-title variantsHang and finish drywall in commercial and residential construction. The trade that follows framing and electrical, before paint.
Painter
7 job-title variantsSurface prep and paint application for commercial, residential, and industrial work. IUPAT apprenticeships; specialty tracks for industrial coatings and decorative finishes.
Flooring Installer
6 job-title variantsInstall hardwood, vinyl, laminate, tile, and carpet flooring in residential and commercial spaces. Independent shops dominate; specialization pays.
Sandblaster
0 job-title variantsSurface preparation through abrasive blasting — concrete, steel, masonry. Industrial coating work that pays a premium for confined-space and lead-abatement skills.
Apply across all nine roles
OSHA 10/30, NCCER curriculum, and ABC apprenticeships transfer between most construction trades. Trade-specific union apprenticeships (UBC for carpenters, BAC for masons, IUPAT for painters) lock in the deepest training paths.
United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC)
The dominant union for carpenters, framers, drywall, and lath/plaster work. Mid-Atlantic Carpenters Regional Council covers VA/DC/MD/NC. 4-year apprenticeships, paid OJT plus classroom.
UBC Carpenters →BAC (Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers)
Union for masons, tile setters, terrazzo workers, and refractory masons. BAC Local 1 PA/DE/VA covers Virginia; Local 1 MD/VA/DC covers Maryland and DC; Carolinas locals cover NC.
BAC homepage →IUPAT (Painters & Allied Trades)
International Union of Painters and Allied Trades — covers painters, drywall finishers, glaziers, and floor coverers. District Council 51 covers VA/DC/MD; District Council 57 covers NC.
IUPAT homepage →ABC Open-Shop Apprenticeships
Associated Builders & Contractors runs DOL-Registered apprenticeships in carpentry, masonry, painting, and other construction trades at non-union contractors. ABC Virginia, ABC Metro Washington, ABC Greater Baltimore.
NCCER Construction Curriculum
National Center for Construction Education and Research — the standard credentialing curriculum across union and open-shop apprenticeships. Levels 1–4 in carpentry, masonry, and other trades.
NCCER credentials →OSHA 10 / 30
OSHA 10 is required for entry-level construction work in many states; OSHA 30 is required for foremen and supervisors. Both transfer across construction trades.
See course providers →Common pathways into Construction & Structural Trades
KinTrades welcomes workers across all three roles in this family — veterans transitioning out of service, students planning a career, and people returning to work after time away.
Veterans
Construction trades have the strongest military crosswalks of any trade family. Army 12W Carpentry & Masonry, 12N Horizontal Construction Engineer, and the Navy Seabees ratings (BU Builder, EA Engineering Aide, EO Equipment Operator, CM Construction Mechanic) all transfer directly.
Helmets to Hardhats connects veterans to UBC/BAC/IUPAT/ABC apprenticeships.
The GI Bill covers apprenticeship-related fees.
Veterans on KinTradesHigh School Students
Construction has the lowest entry barrier of any skilled trade — most workers come in as helpers with no prior experience. HS construction-trade CTE programs are widespread in VA, MD, and NC.
Apprenticeships start at age 18 with HS diploma or GED.
FastForward VA covers tuition for VA students; Pell-eligible CC pre-apprenticeships at Tidewater CC, Cape Fear CC, Wake Tech, and others.
Students on KinTradesSecond Chance
Construction is among the most second-chance friendly trade families on KinTrades. Most independent contractors hire on demonstrated work ethic and physical readiness — background checks are uncommon at entry level.
Union apprenticeships (UBC, BAC, IUPAT) admit applicants with felony histories on a case-by-case basis.
Federal construction projects on military bases require security screening for site access.
Second-chance hiringCommon questions about Construction & Structural Trades
What trades are in the Construction & Structural Trades family?
Construction & Structural Trades on KinTrades covers 9 roles: Carpenter, Concrete Finisher, Drywall Installer, Flooring Installer, Framer, Mason / Bricklayer, Painter, Roofer, Sandblaster. Each is a recognized skilled trade with its own apprenticeship pathway, certifications, and pay band.
How do you get started in Construction & Structural Trades?
Build the buildings — and everything that goes in them. From the framing crews who put up the bones to the painters who finish the work, construction is the largest skilled-trade family in the country and the one most reliably hiring. Most workers come in via an apprenticeship — usually 2 to 5 years paid OJT plus classroom hours — or through a community-college pre-apprenticeship that feeds into one. Some employers also direct-hire helpers and train on-site.
Is Construction & Structural Trades a good fit for second-chance workers?
Construction is among the most second-chance friendly trade families on KinTrades. Most independent contractors hire on demonstrated work ethic and physical readiness — background checks are uncommon at entry level. Union apprenticeships (UBC, BAC, IUPAT) admit applicants with felony histories on a case-by-case basis. Federal construction projects on military bases require security screening for site access.
Is Construction & Structural Trades a good career path for veterans or high school students?
Veterans: Construction trades have the strongest military crosswalks of any trade family. Army 12W Carpentry Masonry, 12N Horizontal Construction Engineer, and the Navy Seabees ratings (BU Builder, EA Engineering Aide, EO Equipment Operator, CM Construction Mechanic) all transfer directly. Helmets to Hardhats connects veterans to UBC/BAC/IUPAT/ABC apprenticeships. The GI Bill covers apprenticeship-related fees. Students: Construction has the lowest entry barrier of any skilled trade — most workers come in as helpers with no prior experience. HS construction-trade CTE programs are widespread in VA, MD, and NC. Apprenticeships start at age 18 with HS diploma or GED. FastForward VA covers tuition for VA students; Pell-eligible CC pre-apprenticeships at Tidewater CC, Cape Fear CC, Wake Tech, and others.